Roberto Alomar

A Historic Moment

admin — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 16:57:38 +0000

This week we had the rare opportunity to take part in a historic event. Tuesday’s Presidential Inauguration of the 44th President, Barack Obama, is one we will tell our children’s children about. Regardless of your political stance, it is important to reflect upon America’s desire for hope and change.Â Americans as a whole can take pride knowing that no matter what walk of life someone comes from, they stand united in supporting the historic event.Â

It is not clear whatÂ exact impact this changing of the guard will have on sports, but I hope and believe that we will see the same desire for unity. The sports world has come a long wayÂ in breaking racial barriers and discrimination. However, I desire a day when we speak not of a player’s ability or character based on his nationality or race but on the individual himself.Â

Again, this week was truly a historical moment. As the festivities and hoopla wind down Americans, Canadians, and people around the world will be watching with a hopeful eye that the man behind the ever powerful words and glinting smile is truly the right person to lead the United States of America.

I wish you the best of luck in achieving the goals you have set forth. Remember, it is the peaks and valleys in life that reveal a person’s true character. With this said Mr. President, you face a tough task ahead, and the world waits in anticipation.

I will see you next week,

Thanks,Â

Spencer Miller

Congrats Rice and Ricky

admin — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 16:57:20 +0000

This week I would like to talk about the baseball Hall of Fame class of 2009 that was just recently announced this week. Jim Rice, a Red Sox legend, who was finally inducted into the hall on his fifteenth and final ballot and the best leadoff man of all time, Rickey Henderson.Â

Congratulations to them both, they do in fact deserve it. However, I would be remissed if I didn’t mention how extremely pleased I am of the baseball HOF selection commitee for getting something as prestigious as this seemingly correct year in and year out; and not getting entirely caught up in the spectacle of the sport and some of its astonishments and focusing on the people truly deserving to be there.Â

The best example I can give to you is the omission of Mark McGwire. He has been eligible to enter the hall for the last three years and by all statistical accounts, havinbg 200 more home runs than the aforementioned Jim Rice, should be a no-brainer first ballot hall of famer. However, unfortunately for Mr. McGwire he did some things that were inexcusable to virtually all of baseball’s purists.Â

On a different note, you get no argument from me that Rickey Henderson is far and away the best leadoff hitter to ever be in the major leagues. Which begs the question, if Rickey Henderson can enter the hall on I believe his first ballot, why has there been such an argument over the years that Robbie Alomar not go in first time around when clearly he is the best modern day second basemen in league history? Think about that and see you next week.

Spence

Outrageous Salaries

admin — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 16:57:01 +0000

Hey guys happy new year! This week I would like to talk about how I believe something needs to be put in place to prevent teams like the Yankees from creating an unfair monopoly in baseball. You see, as I stated in an earlier article, I am all for doing everything you can to improve your ball club from year to year within reason.Â

However, over the last 12 seasons the Yankees have abused that philosophy. This is never more evident than in there now 440 million dollar payroll thanks to two signings of free agents C.C. Sabathia and AJ Burnett. Naturally one would think that major league baseball would have noticed the Yankees outright payroll defiance but no league office decided to make it look like they cared.Â

The league’s current luxury tax of 30% has only effected the middle of the road franchises with small budgets. Teams such as the Yankees have laughed at the 30% tax and have treated it much like pocket change.

At the end of the day, if Major League Baseball wants to even the playing field there must be a serious change in each team’s salary distribution.

Thanks see you next week,Â

Spence

Happy Holidays!!!

admin — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 16:56:41 +0000

Hello everyone!

I just wanted to take a couple of moments this week, not to talk about anything specific really but to say on behalf of everyone here at RobertoAlomar.com and Robbie himself, we would like to wish each and everyone of you a healthy, happy and safe holiday season!

But remember, while enjoying some christmas cheer with eggnog amongst other alcoholic beverages, please be responsible with what ever you choose to do, because here we want all our readers to enter the year in the best of spirits and feel the best about themselves.Â

Finally, I know there are some of you that come to this website with hopes and aspirations to one day reach the greatness that Robbie and so many otherrs were able to able to obtain. Well after reading this I would like each of you to reflect and say to yourself, “in 2009 I will do everything I can to achieve the greatness that I want, and nothing or no one will be able to stop me.”Â

Thanks, Merry Christmas, Happy holidays and see you next week!

Spence

What exactly is the criteria for the Hall?

admin — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 16:56:21 +0000

Hey guys this week I would like to take a minute and talk about the debate over the hall of fame. If you have all been following my posts then you all know my feelings about Robbie getting in to the hall once he becomes eligible first ballot in 2010.Â

However, over the last few days I have started to question the selection criteria used for baseball’s hallowed hall. Now over this great games history it has not mattered if your name is Ruth, Ryan, Dimaggio, or Clemente, one thing that remanined constant is that none of theese aformentioned players recieved 100% of a vote during there induction year.

Why after years of an almost flawless induction system have you started to entertain a new system of induction? Remember as long as the greats end up together in the end that’s all that matters.

see you next week

spence

Ted Rogers – You Will Be Missed

admin — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 16:56:03 +0000

I was deeply saddened yesterday to learn about the passing of a great man, Canadian media mogul and innovator, Ted Rogers at the age of 75.Â

During my time with the Blue Jays I had the great privilege to get to know Ted and his love for sports. I have never met anyone with such a successful corporate background who turned so quickly into a kid again once he entered or was around the game.Â

Then in 2000 Ted was able to fulfill one of his dreams in life by purchasing not only the the Blue Jays but the building I called home for so many years. The Sky Dome now affectionately known as the Rogers Centre. I know you lived a full life Ted and believe me Canadians thank you as well as the athletes and anyone you came in contact with.Â

You will be missed, and your legacy lives on!

Robbie

Free Agency with Spencer Miller

admin — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 16:55:41 +0000

Hey Guys,

This week I wanted to talk to you about the interesting dynamics that come with free agency. Over the last ten years, free agency has changed drastically. You see in the 80s and 90s players who were at the top of their game such as Roberto Alomar, Cal Ripken Jr., Paul Molitor, and Tony Gwynn would be extremely satisfied to receive 8-10 million per year over five years.Â

Whereas today, free agents are constantly getting salaries of astronomical proportions thrown their way. This is not more evident anywhere but in the New York Yankee organization where money is literally thrown around like water at big names like most recently CC Sabathia (and his 140 million dollar offer). This is done in hopes that year after year they will be contenders.Â

Do I agree that every off-season you need to do whatever you can to improve your ball club? Of course. But i am tired Â of almost every general manager in the majors not being smart about it and giving in to somebody who they think will benefit their team based on what one player has done in one season. Ladies and gentlemen, like any job you must go into every project with a game plan and I really hope that the baseball GM will wake up and pay attention to what the foundation of every sport is, and that is talent and not one career year of statistics.

Thanks see you next week,

Spence

Congrats Phillies!!!

admin — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 16:55:20 +0000

Hi everyone, I wanted to take an opportunity this week to congratulate the Philladelphia Phillies on their world series victory last Wednesday. Â Over the last 25 years there has not been a more championship starved city than Philladelphia. Â With their last championship coming in the summer of 1983, when the Philladelphia 76er’s won the NBA title. Â Now this world series seemed destined to go the Phillies’ way as it very quickly took on a Rocky Balboa like theme as both teams had to fight all the elements to see who came out on top. Â Was this a great world series…no, ratings were down, the umpires were calling the game as if they were blind at times, and the weather was quite possibly the worst I have seen while watching the fall classic.Â

Â Nonetheless to those of you who have made the argument that baseball’s biggest prize should be played on a neutral site like Florida or Arizona I say – you are crazy! Â Although it may seem like a good idea it would without question take away the rich tradition and respect that the game of baseball has had attached to it’s championship for over a hundred years. Â Congratulations once again to the Phillies on their victory – you certainly threw enough knockout blows to end up on the winning side of your fifteen round championship fight. Â

Thanks, see ya next Monday – Spence.

Importance of Pitching

admin — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 16:54:51 +0000

Ladies and gentlemen this week i would like to talk to you about the art of pitching. For years baseball has been a game curtailed to the long ball and pitching has fallen under the radar. Well let me tell you, all though the pitcher is easy to for get throughout the coarse of a game they truly are the first and last line of defense for your baseball team and where the most strategy comes into play.Â

You see a pitcher has to constantly think of pitch sequences for every individual hitter that comes to the plate as well as how to adapt there pitching style between the windup and the stretch depending on different base running situations. More importantly the insurmountable pressure pitchers face with every pitch thrown and yes you can say there is pressure for every one but none like this because one little arm angle change or one little slip on the mound can take what is supposed to be a ninety five miles per hour strike out pitch and it ends up being an eighty seven mile per hour lame duck over the heart of the plate crushed into the right field bleachers.Â

Then let us not forget the manager always trying to stay one step ahead of his opponent vigorously going through scouting reports in the dugout to match the right pitch to face the right batter late in games. In summary please do not forget those who paved the way to make the pitching position what it is today such as Satchel Paige, Nolan Ryan, Sandy Kofax, and yes even Roger Clemens because without them there would not be a Brandon Webb, Cole Hamels, and Roy Haliday and pitching would be very different.Â

thanks see you next monday.

spence

The Champions Unique Factor

admin — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 16:54:30 +0000

Ladies and gentlemen I wanted to take a few minutes and discuss with you something I believe has been largely overlooked in the game of baseball. This is a team’s ability to scout and draft young talent. Â Now I can see how in today’s game it has been easy to forget how important scouting and the amateur draft is. With multi-million dollar contracts at the major league level, the minor league system is quickly overlooked.

Â Â However, every great team needs a great mastermind to put all the appropriate pieces together in order for it to become an amazingly cohesive unit on the baseball field. Â Somenone who should garner your complete admiration and respect for what he has done in the game of baseball over the years is Mr. Pat Gillick. Â

Whether it was during his time in Toronto or as current general manager of the National League’s Philadelphia Phillies, Â theÂ one thing that has remained constant is Mr. Gillick’s unbelievable eye for talent. Â

Someone else who deserves almost the same type of credit is the current general manager of the Tampa Bay Rays because for the first time in the 11 year history of the franchise the Rays are playing in the World Series. The current team is not a roster full of multi-million dollar contracts but full of young talent that has been home grown.Â

So be patient with your team over the years, watch them go through their much needed growing pains and before you know it they will be contending for a championship again. Â

Thanks, Â

Spence.